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Are there apps that help establish routines for ADHD? 

Author: Avery Lombardi, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

For many adults with ADHD, maintaining routines and staying organised can be difficult without external support. According to NICE guidance (NG87, 2025) and NICE DG60 digital technology guidance (2024), using digital tools such as reminder apps, visual planners, and habit trackers can make a significant difference. These tools help compensate for executive function challenges like forgetfulness, poor time perception, and task initiation difficulties. 

Digital tools that support ADHD routine-building 

The NHS ADHD Taskforce (2025) and NICE both recognise that ADHD-friendly apps are most effective when combined with therapy, coaching, or medication. Studies, including a 2024 systematic review in J Clin Med, found that digital interventions such as habit apps and task planners improve executive function and routine consistency in adults with ADHD. 

Popular tools include Tiimo, Routinery, Brili, and Todoist all designed for people who benefit from visual structure and reminders. Tiimo offers colour-coded daily schedules, while Routinery automates step-by-step routines. Apps like Habitica use gamification to reward consistency, turning daily habits into motivating challenges. Research published in ScienceDirect (2024) shows that such apps are most effective when personalised and combined with behavioural strategies like habit-stacking or time-blocking. 

If you’re looking for ongoing ADHD management or coaching, ADHD Certify provides trusted online assessments and practical guidance to help build healthy digital routines that fit your lifestyle. 

Key takeaway 

ADHD-friendly apps can transform how adults manage time, tasks, and daily structure. When paired with behavioural therapy or coaching, digital tools offer a powerful way to build consistent, flexible routines that make everyday life more manageable and productive. 

Avery Lombardi, MSc, author for my patient advice - mypatientadvice.co.uk
Avery Lombardi, MSc
Author

Avery Lombardi is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has professional experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and research, working with both child and adult populations. Avery has provided clinical services in hospital, educational, and community settings, delivering interventions such as CBT, DBT, and tailored treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. She has also contributed to research on self-stigma, self-esteem, and medication adherence in psychotic patients, and has created educational content on ADHD, treatment options, and daily coping strategies.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS, author and a reviewer for my patient advice - mypatientadvice.co.uk
Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS
Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.